Hip and knee operations 'cancelled' till 2014 claim

Unison claims orthopaedic surgery will be cancelled at four Welsh hospitals. Credit: PA

The health service union, UNISON, claims all planned orthopaedic surgery for four main hospitals in the Hywel Dda Health Board area have been cancelled until April 2014.

It says the hospitals affected will be Prince Philip, Glangwili, Bronglais and Withybush Hospitals.

Unison says the health board has to make financial savings and as a result hip and knee replacements will be cancelled.

UNISON Branch Chairperson, Wendy Evans, said, “The Health Board already has a waiting time of 15 months for patients awaiting orthopaedic surgery. This will clearly add at least another five to six months to their waiting time, causing further distress."

The union says it has written to the Health Minister, Mr Mark Drakeford to complain about the decision.